India trail by 190 runs against Australia at Lunch on Day 2

Pune, Feb 24 (IANS) India scored 70/3, trailing by 190 runs at lunch on the second day of the first cricket Test against Australia at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

Lokesh Rahul (47) and Ajinkya Rahane (6) were at the crease when umpires called for the break.

After bowling Australia out for 260, India started their innings on a steady note at a slow and low pitch.

But after six overs, Vijay, who was playing the ball on its merit, lost his concentration and was caught behind the stumps. He was dismissed by medium pacer Jose Hazlewood with just 26 runs on the board.

The fall of wicket brought in Cheteshwar Pujara (6), who along with Rahul could add only 17 runs before Pujara was sent packing in the 15th over by pacer Mitchell Starc.

The things got worse when in the same over Indian skipper Virat Kohli (0) was also sent back to the pavilion.

Starc, who was bowling his heart out in the middle dismissed Kohli in the same over to reduce the hosts 44/3.

Incoming batsman Rahane, and opener Rahul then stabilised the innings and played intelligently.

Both batsmen forged 26-run partnership in 11 overs before umpires called for the break.

Earlier, resuming the day at 256/9, Hazlewood (1) and Starc (61) could only add four runs to the total as they were separated by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Starc’s 63-ball innings was laced with six boundaries and three sixes.

For India, pacer Umesh Yadav scalped four wickets while Ashwin took three wickets. Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets while Jayant Yadav sent back one batsman.